Colposcope Light Source Grouping for Glint Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current colposcopic imaging techniques face challenges in producing high-quality images due to specular reflection (glint), which obscures color information and hinders the detection of cervical cancer precursors.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a plurality of light sources actuated in groups to provide illumination flashes at different angles, with the duration of each flash being shorter than the imaging period, allowing the light detector to receive a mix of reflected lights and reduce glint in the image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single light source illuminates the cervix, then the imaging setup is simple, but specular reflection (glint) occurs which eliminates color information
Solution Approach 1:
The single light source is segmented into multiple light sources (at least three) positioned at different angles around the cervix. Each light source illuminates the cervix from a different direction, and the detector captures images from multiple angles. This segmentation allows the system to avoid specular reflection by selecting illumination angles that do not produce glint, thereby preserving color information while maintaining relatively simple device complexity.
2Loss of information
If multiple light sources illuminate the cervix at different angles, then glint is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple light sources are activated in a periodic sequence rather than simultaneously. Each light source is turned on in succession, illuminating the cervix from its specific angle, and the detector captures the reflected light during each illumination period. This periodic activation reduces the need for complex simultaneous multi-source coordination, managing device complexity while still achieving glint reduction through angular diversity.
3Illumination intensity
If the illumination flash duration is long, then the image brightness is sufficient, but glint cannot be effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system dynamically adjusts by selecting different illumination angles through sequential activation of multiple light sources rather than using a single continuous light source. The detector also dynamically captures images at different angles corresponding to each illumination event. This dynamic angular selection allows the system to avoid glint-prone angles while accumulating sufficient light information across multiple captures, maintaining image brightness without sacrificing glint suppression.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively suppresses glint in images, enhancing the visualization of diagnostically relevant features and improving image clarity for better diagnostic purposes.
Implementation Method 1
One factor leading to poor cervical imagery is specular reflection (i.e. glint). Usually, glint is undesirable because it effectively eliminates color information in an image
Implementation Method 2
an image sensor (e.g. a Charge- coupled Device detector, i.e. CCD detector) to acquire an image of the region of interest
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides apparatus and method for imaging a subject in clinical examination. An apparatus for imaging a subject, comprising: a plurality of light sources (20) for illuminating a region of interest within the subject, at least a portion of the light sources (20) being divided into groups and being actuated group by group, each actuated group of the light sources (20) providing an illumination flash with a predetermined duration, and different groups of the light sources (20) illuminating the region of interest at different angles; and a light detector (40) for receiving light reflected by the subject to form a frame of image for the region of interest per imaging period of the light detector (40), and the predetermined duration of the illumination flash being shorter than the imaging period, enough to enable different groups of the light sources to illuminate the region of interest per imaging period at different times within the imaging period. According to the apparatus, glint in images of the region of interest is reduced in real-time.